Dennis: Singapore will change face of F1

With the event already being perceived as a triumph, Dennis thinks that there are now going to fresh avenues of development for F1 in the coming years.

"It is not just a new experience," said Dennis in Singapore. "It is a real big step in the history of grand prix racing because it has been done so well.

"Everything has been proven now and we can take this model and apply it to anywhere in the world - either to bring to Europe the race at a time when people watch it, or even within Europe to make it more spectacular.

"With a bit of thought you can imagine we will see firework displays, all sorts of things, that we can use now to glamourise F1 more."

Dennis believes that research can now be done to change the start time of races around the world, which will serve to increase audiences in Europe and therefore boost the popularity of the sport to new heights.

"Clearly it provides F1 now with a very powerful tool, because effectively we can target anywhere in the world for what time they watch the race," he said. "So it could be used in Europe to bring us into night, and we can change the viewing times.

"Now there will be a lot of analysis done as to when is the best time to put grand prix racing on television. It is going to set a new trend."

Fellow team boss Frank Williams is convinced that the Singapore race has a chance of usurping Monaco as F1's blue riband event.

"It has a good chance of challenging Monaco for being the jewel in the crown of Formula One," he said. "That is the most accurate thing to say. They have great weather, a very good track, and the grandstands packed. I think there is a lot of enthusiasm out there."

Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug was equally enthusiastic about the event, and the implications it can have for the future of the sport.

"I think it is a real great statement for F1," he said. "Normally for a new venue you sometimes expect something and sometimes you are a little bit disappointed, but here it is quite the other way around.

"I was expecting great pictures, I thought the nights and lights will work like in a photo studio - and it is amazing. I have had so many phone calls from my friends in Germany and they said it was unbelievable. I think they have done a particularly good job with the helicopter pictures, so they integrate the whole city. It is not just concrete walls and cities and lights, it is an amazing job they did here."

He added: "This is the best advertising campaign that a city can do worldwide. If they had raced at 2pm, and you look at the average figures in Germany for example, then you get three million viewers at 8am and you get seven million in the afternoon, and I am expecting at least seven million in the afternoon.

"It costs a lot of money, the lights, the circuit and the organisation. But it is a great investment for the city. And, of course, it is fantastic for F1. It is, in the best sense of the word, a highlight."